Commending the Coast Guard, Air Station Corpus Christi, and the crew of CG-6553 for their heroic efforts and courageous response to the catastrophic flooding across central Texas.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 618 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 618

Commending the Coast Guard, Air Station Corpus Christi, and the crew of 
    CG-6553 for their heroic efforts and courageous response to the 
              catastrophic flooding across central Texas.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 29, 2025

   Mr. Cloud (for himself, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Graves, Mr. Williams of 
   Texas, Mrs. Fletcher, Mr. Lawler, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mr. Tony 
  Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Carter of Texas, Mr. McCaul, Mr. Higgins of 
Louisiana, Mr. Babin, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Veasey, and 
Ms. Crockett) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
           the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commending the Coast Guard, Air Station Corpus Christi, and the crew of 
    CG-6553 for their heroic efforts and courageous response to the 
              catastrophic flooding across central Texas.

Whereas, beginning in the predawn hours of July 4, 2025, heavy rainfall resulted 
        in catastrophic flooding that devastated many Texas Hill Country 
        communities, resulting in the tragic loss of life;
Whereas the Guadalupe and Colorado Rivers, and their surrounding waterways, rose 
        rapidly and perilously, immediately endangering the life of thousands as 
        they slept;
Whereas nearly 12 inches of rain fell in the headwaters of the South Fork of the 
        Guadalupe River, upstream of Camp Mystic, Kerrville, Hunt, and Comfort, 
        Texas, resulting in the river rising over 26 feet in 45 minutes;
Whereas, at 5:30 a.m., Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi launched a search 
        and rescue crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, call sign CG-6553;
Whereas the crew of CG-6553 consisted of aircraft commander Lieutenant Ian 
        Hopper, copilot Lieutenant Blair Ogujiofor, flight mechanic AMT3 Seth 
        Reeves, and rescue swimmer AST3 Scott Ruskan;
Whereas CG-6553 was unwavering in their response despite severe weather and poor 
        flying conditions that caused 3 aborted landing attempts due to 
        inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions;
Whereas, on the fourth landing attempt, the crew of CG-6553, with their unique 
        weather radar capabilities, successfully led numerous rotary-wing assets 
        into the disaster zone;
Whereas, during his first rescue mission, AST3 Scott Ruskan became the only 
        first responder on scene when he was inserted into the flood zone at 
        Camp Mystic, and for over 3 hours, he triaged and coordinated the rescue 
        of 165 lives, working with local, State, and military airframes across 3 
        landing zones;
Whereas Lt. Ian Hopper, Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, and AMT3 Seth Reeves continued to 
        airlift and evacuate 15 lives from the disaster area aboard their MH-65 
        Dolphin helicopter;
Whereas the Coast Guard aggressively sustained continuous operations through the 
        deployment of 54 Coast Guard personnel, numerous air assets consisting 
        of 8 MH-65 Dolphin helicopters and 2 HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing 
        aircraft, and resources from Coast Guard Air Stations Corpus Christi, 
        Houston, and Miami;
Whereas the crew of CG-6553 and the Coast Guard carried out one of the most 
        consequential rescue operations this country has ever seen, bringing 
        hope to the helpless;
Whereas, in the face of tragedy, our Coast Guard servicemembers reminded Texas 
        and the Nation of what makes this country strong: selflessness, courage, 
        and professionalism by those willing to step into danger to protect 
        others; and
Whereas the actions of aircraft commander Lieutenant Ian Hopper, copilot 
        Lieutenant Blair Ogujiofor, Aviation Maintenance Technician Petty 
        Officer Third Class Seth Reeves, Aviation Survival Technician Petty 
        Officer Third Class Scott Ruskan, and all of the Coast Guard personnel 
        who deployed into the disaster zone exemplified the courage and devotion 
        to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Coast Guard: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the Coast Guard for its courageous and swift 
        response to the flooding disaster in Texas;
            (2) expresses its profound and deep appreciation for the 
        extraordinary Coast Guard members who risked their lives to 
        save hundreds from the floods; and
            (3) extends its deepest gratitude to all of the Federal, 
        State, and local first responders and volunteers who have 
        responded to this horrific tragedy to help Texas in its time of 
        need.
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